What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a halo?

[jonas]

I kind of posed this question a few weeks back but probably didn't word it the best so I'll try it again.
Due to budget reasons.. Sigh. Oh budgets... I'm going smaller and I just want to know what size could
Still work. Is it a .5 a .6 a .4 ??? obviously the prices varies significantly. In the end I'm going to get a lovely halo setting
With some nice melee down the shank and the melee in the halo I'm going to choose will be decent sized. But what to put in the
Middle? What would be too small? Thanks guys.. Looking forward to your opinions

Jonas

 

[tdoyledesign]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

I have seen this setting in person with a .67 center diamond. With the excellent cut of the HoF diamond, it looked HUGE! I have also seen .5 and it still looked really nice. The read from a few feet away with the halo diamonds made it look very large and it really sparkled. If you go with a high quality cut, I think you will be fine. I am nowhere near the expert some others are on here, but I just saw these rings a little over a month ago, so its fresh in my mind.

http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/beloveddiamondsolitaire.aspx

 

[Christina...]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Jonas have you considered a colored stone center? A beautiful sapphire would be gorgeous in a halo!

 

[jonas]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

How would a .3 Look in that hof you saw? Too small?

 

[tdoyledesign]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

How would a .3 Look in that hof you saw? Too small?

It would look great as long as you shrunk the side diamonds accordingly. If not the .3 would get swallowed up by the melee diamonds. To be honest, the ring almost looked too big as it was (my GF has size 5 ring). I believe the HoF ring shrinks the halo diamonds according to the center. I would think you could get a ring similar to this for $1.5k or so. Here is a really nice ACA diamond with great color and clarity for cheap:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2752082.htm

Also there is a HoF setting I like that uses smaller diamonds on the side and is even cheaper for the setting:

http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/transcendsinglehalosolitaireforhof.aspx

 

[jonas]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Would hof sell the setting by itself or not? If not who has a similar setting as the two you showed me? Thanks

 

[tdoyledesign]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

I believe HoF will sell it separately although the sales associate will likely tell you otherwise. You wouldn't want to do that though since HoF is really overpriced and you are on a budget. You could easily get once custom made (and mimic the setting you like) for probably half the price of the HoF. Otherwise, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin I have seen some Halos that are very similar. I would trust some of the ppl that have been on here much longer. They might have one in mind that is close to these settings that I am not aware of.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Hearts on FIre has a huge markup retail. More than any of our PS vendors. They are a horrible choice for anyone on a budget unless it's a second hand piece.

Call ID Jewelry. They've worked miracles with small budgets. Ask to speak directly to Yekuteil, and tell him Pricescope sent you and do it this week (tomorrow) because next week is a huge trade show.

Okay? He'll take care of you.

 

[webdiva]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

What is your budget? What shape are you looking for? We've found awesome deals for others, and can do the same for you! Open to a pre-owned stone?

EDIT: For reference, my entire ring cost less than the HOF setting.

 

[webdiva]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Gabriel & Co Halos from IDJ:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6556W44JJ - $990 MSRP - approx $792
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6559W44JJ - $1050 MSRP - approx $856
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_133&products_id=14080&cType=ER - $1475 IDJ price

That gives you an idea of halo price range - and how much you have left to spend on a diamond. IDJ will be able to maximize your budget.

 

[Alexiszoe]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

I think a 0.5 that is well cut would be sufficient. As the center diamond gets smaller proportionately the melee and halo might look too big for the center diamond, which might look more like a cocktail ring/cluster ring, unless that is what your girlfriend likes. Or how about putting that money into the diamond and set it in a simple solitaire, and upgrade the setting down the road?

and sorry to threadjack, but webdiva, I your Bev K halo!

 

[jonas]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

I like that last halo from Idj you posted. For $1450. Now what is the smallest center diamond I could go comfortably and still long awesome? .3? .4? .5? Thanks

 

[jonas]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

.5 huh? Well I wanted to put it in a halo cuz I get the feeling she doesn't want a solitaire.. Thanks .5 it is

 

[webdiva]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

.5 huh? Well I wanted to put it in a halo cuz I get the feeling she doesn't want a solitaire.. Thanks .5 it is

I think .5 is good. There's a lady on here that added a halo to her existing solitaire and it was .5 - looked HUGE! - see first thread below. Does she want a round halo, cushion halo or square halo on a round stone? Cushion or square will give you the most finger coverage.

Some comparisons:

.52 : [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-re-designed-ering-halo-style.53602/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-re-designed-ering-halo-style.53602/[/URL]
.61 : [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-ps-my-engagement-ring.144183/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-ps-my-engagement-ring.144183/[/URL]

BTW - thanks AlexisZoe!

 

[purplesilk]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Some lovely pictures, just to give you a real life perspective on how your ring would look:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-rings.163683/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-rings.163683/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-ring-as-rhr.35621/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-ring-as-rhr.35621/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-split-shank-princess-halo.172929/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-split-shank-princess-halo.172929/[/URL]

 

[Kalliope]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Some lovely pictures, just to give you a real life perspective on how your ring would look:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/[/URL]

Wow, this one looks stunning ! Personally I like small stones and wouldn't go much bigger than that for a halo.

 

[mandasand]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

The very first engagement ring I tried on at our local goldsmith in our little historic town was a .30 RB in a dainty solitaire with a teeny tiny diamond band. I didn't think it looked too small because I have petite fingers. But, it was pretty small.
http://www.sierramoongoldsmiths.com/bigview.php?p=96

I also tried on a .30 Tiffany Legacy and that was teeny tiny too, but still very pretty. I thought for $5000 that it was way too expensive for what I was actually getting, but it was still fun to try on a ring at Tiffany's!

The halo on these smaller center stones really helped add more finger coverage.

I think if you stick around the .50 mark and put it in a halo from Gabriel & Co it is going to look awesome. I tried on a .62 with this halo and it was more than enough in terms of size and sparkle:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7527W44JJ

I say this - if your budget changed, then it is what it is. I am sure she will be happy with a half carat instead of a carat. It doesn't really matter anyway what the size is, it is about the token.

 

[webdiva]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

Some lovely pictures, just to give you a real life perspective on how your ring would look:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/baby-gift-diamond-halo-ring.161734/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-rings.163683/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-rings.163683/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-ring-as-rhr.35621/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-ring-as-rhr.35621/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-split-shank-princess-halo.172929/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-split-shank-princess-halo.172929/[/URL]

Those are great threads! There's a .35 and a .45 in there for reference.

A halo is a great way to get the illusion of size, and while some men have posted on here saying they don't want to the halo to "take away" from the center stone - I don't think it ever does. You've gotten some great suggestions on rings here, and I hope we found something for your budget. Please call IDJ and have them find you a stone. Another option is to have them source the setting and send it over to another PS vendor.

Here's a .57 expert selection AGS000 G VS2 at Whiteflash for $1967 - and you get an extra $75 for your first order, plus no shipping/tax, plus $100 charge for setting. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724640.htm
The diameter is .2 under the one you see in my avatar, for reference. Pretty damn awesome size.

Drop down to SI1 and .1 mm and you drop down to $1677 for a .54 G SI1 :
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2781337.htm

.43 F color (about 4.8 mm) drops you to $1082 :
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2381166.htm

Let us know if you need more assistance! The only thing better than buying your own diamond is helping someone else buy one!

 

[alogozzo]

Re: What's the smallest ct that would still look good in a h

for reference, here is a .58 j SI1 H&A surrounded by 1.5pt stones.

http://s11.postimage.org/4u0dtzr8j/val_andrew_acard_andrew_ccardceremony_IMG_5782.jpg